Nomade

Nomade is Jaume Plensa's monumental seated figure built from white steel letters and one of Pappajohn Sculpture Park's most recognizable works. Navigate to the exact Nomade pin rather than the general Pappajohn Sculpture Park marker. Nomade returned to the park in May 2026 after scheduled conservation. Do not touch, climb, or sit on the artwork; use the exact pin and the official visitor guide to find it without crossing planted or protected areas.

Ample metered street parking surrounds the park. Read current space signs and payment hours; downtown events can remove spaces or change rates, so use a nearby public garage if curb parking is full. Navigate to the exact Nomade pin rather than the general Pappajohn Sculpture Park marker. Nomade returned to the park in May 2026 after scheduled conservation. Do not touch, climb, or sit on the artwork; use the exact pin and the official visitor guide to find it without crossing planted or protected areas.

Nomade follows the sculpture park's sunrise-to-midnight city-park hours unless conservation, events, maintenance, or severe weather restricts the surrounding lawn.

Do not plan on a dedicated public restroom inside the open-air sculpture park; the official visitor page does not list one. The adjacent Central Library and nearby businesses have their own hours and access rules, so use a staffed downtown facility before entering the park if restroom access is important.

Viewing Nomade and entering Pappajohn Sculpture Park are free.

Yes. The Art Center describes it as an accessible, pedestrian-friendly setting. Street crossings, lawn conditions, temporary events, and winter weather can still affect the easiest route between individual works.

Leashed dogs may accompany visitors in the outdoor city sculpture park, but it is not an off-leash area. Keep pets away from every artwork, pedestal, planting bed, and food setup, remove waste at the perimeter receptacles, and never allow climbing or contact with a sculpture. The separate Des Moines Art Center museum permits only service dogs indoors. Separately operated buildings, beaches, gardens, and attractions can set stricter rules.

Nomade is Jaume Plensa's monumental seated figure built from white steel letters and one of Pappajohn Sculpture Park's most recognizable works. Families are welcome, and the Art Center provides a printable exploration guide with movement, observation, and discussion activities for all ages. This is an art park rather than a playground: children must not climb, sit on, or touch sculptures except Scott Burton's Seating for Eight.

Nomade returned to the park in May 2026 after scheduled conservation. Do not touch, climb, or sit on the artwork; use the exact pin and the official visitor guide to find it without crossing planted or protected areas.